Method and apparatus for controlling frequency and length of a rest mode in a computer

[0002] This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from an application for Method for Controlling Rest Mode in Computer and Apparatus Therefor earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on Dec. 26, 1997 and there duly assigned Serial No. 74466/1997.

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a method for controlling a computer having a monitor, a keyboard, etc., and more particularly, to a method for controlling a rest mode for stopping the operation of a computer at preset intervals and an apparatus therefor in a computer.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] The prior art describes computers that can be put into a sleep mode, a doze mode, a stand-by mode and a rest mode for the purposes of saving on power consumption. For example, Narad et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,197 discloses a Method and Apparatus For Reducing Power Consumption in a Computer Network Without Sacrificing Performance. Narad et al is capable of independently initiating a transition into a power-conserving mode, i.e., a “sleep” state, while keeping its network interface “alive” and fully operational. Furthermore, Narad et al provides an internal timer for waking the computer system up at midnight to perform housekeeping chores such as daily tape backups. What is needed is a computer system that will go into a rest mode periodically to allow the user to rest his eyes and prevent the harmful effects of staring into a computer screen endlessly. What is needed is a user programmable rest mode where the user can select the length of each rest mode, the interval between which rest modes occur, and the option of making each rest mode mandatory or optional.

[0007] To solve the above problems, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a method for controlling a rest mode in a computer for stopping the operation of the computer temporarily when the computer is continuously used over a preset time.

[0008] It is another objective of the present invention to provide a method for controlling a rest mode in a computer for being able to set the rest mode interactively or compulsorily.

[0009] It is still another objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus for controlling a rest mode in a computer for stopping the use of the computer temporarily when the computer is continuously used over a preset time.

[0010] Accordingly, to achieve the first objective, there is provided a method of controlling a rest mode for stopping a current operation of a computer while using the computer, including the steps of: setting a rest mode by setting a rest interval for deciding a preset time interval, and a rest time for which the computer operation is stopped in every rest interval; checking whether it becomes a target time determined by the above-set rest interval; beginning the rest mode for stopping the computer operation for the above-set rest time when it is the target time; and restoring the previous operation mode executed before the rest mode when the rest time elapses after the rest mode begins.

[0011] To achieve the second objective, there is provided a method of controlling a rest mode for stopping a current operation of a computer while using the computer, including the steps of: setting a rest mode by setting a rest interval for deciding a preset time interval, and a rest time for which the computer operation is stopped in every rest interval; setting a dialog box mode which asks whether the user takes a rest or not whenever it is the target time determined by the rest interval, or a compulsory mode which always let the user rest when it is the time determined by the rest interval; checking whether it becomes the target time determined by the above-set rest interval; asking, if the dialog box mode was set as the rest mode, the user whether the rest mode may begin, and, if the user selects the rest mode, beginning the rest mode for stopping the computer operation for the rest time, or otherwise, restoring the previous operation mode; beginning, if the compulsory mode was set as the rest mode, the rest mode for stopping the computer operation for the above-set rest time; and restoring the previous operation mode executed before the rest mode when the rest time elapses after the rest mode begins.

[0012] To achieve the third objective, there is provided an apparatus for controlling a rest mode for stopping a current operation of the computer during user's computer operation, including: a screen display means for displaying information guiding for a rest mode setup; a mode setup means for being input whether the rest mode is set or not, a rest interval defining a preset time interval, and a rest time defining a rest mode period in every rest interval according to the guide information displayed on the screen display means; a timer means for calculating the time interval and rest time during the computer operation if the rest mode was set; and controlling means for stopping the current operation of the computer during the rest time in every rest interval calculated by the timer if the rest mode was set, and restoring the previous operation mode executed before the rest mode when the rest time elapses after the rest mode begins.

[0013] A more complete appreciation of this invention, and many of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a rest mode in a computer according to the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a rest mode in a computer for being able to set the rest mode interactively or compulsorily according to the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a setup screen displayed on a computer monitor in the course of setting up a rest mode in a method for controlling the rest mode and an apparatus therefor according to the present invention;

[0017] FIGS. 4aand 4bare diagrams illustrating guiding screens displayed on a computer monitor in case that a dialog box mode was set as a rest mode;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for controlling a rest mode in a computer according to the present invention; and

[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a general notebook computer.

[0020] FIG. 6 shows an appearance of a general notebook computer. In FIG. 6, numeral 61 denotes a monitor screen, and numeral 62 denotes a main body including a keyboard, etc. Nowadays, most of office jobs are preformed mainly by computers. Continuous use of a computer for a long time may result in dimness of one's eyes and overstrain of wrists and shoulders. However, when one indulges in doing jobs, he cannot know how long he continues to use a computer. Therefore, health of a computer user may be injured.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a rest mode in a computer according to the present invention. Here, the rest mode refers to a mode in which a user cannot operate the computer for a preset time by stopping a current operation of the computer while using the computer. For example, when the computer begins to be in the rest mode, the power of the computer monitor is controlled to be in an off state.

[0022] At first, the user sets whether the rest mode is to be operable or not during the computer operation in step 11. It is possible that when the computer is turned on, the rest mode is automatically set to be operable even though the user does not set the rest mode every time. After the rest mode is set, a rest interval for deciding a preset time interval, and a rest time for which the computer operation is stopped in the unit of every rest interval.

[0023] Then, whether it is a target time determined by the preset time interval is checked by calculating time with a timer during the computer operation, in step 12. When it is the target time in step 13, the rest mode in which the computer operation is stopped for the preset rest time begins in step 14, or otherwise the steps 12 and 13 are repeated.

[0024] When the preset rest time elapses after the rest mode begins, the timer is reset and the previous operation mode executed before the rest mode is restored in step 15, and then the time calculation step 12 is repeated for the next rest mode. On the other hand, if the user clicks a mouse or presses any key of a keyboard during the rest mode, the rest mode is terminated and the previous operation mode is restored.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a rest mode in a computer for being able to set the rest mode interactively or compulsorily according to the present invention.

[0026] At first, in step 21, the user sets whether the rest mode is to be operable during the computer operation, and sets a rest interval for deciding a preset time interval, and a rest time for which the computer operation is stopped in every rest interval. Also, the user selects whether the user sets a dialog box mode which asks whether the user takes a rest or not whenever it is the target time determined by the rest interval, or a compulsory mode which always let the user rest when it is the target time determined by the rest interval.

[0027] Then, whether it is the target time is checked by calculating time with a timer during the computer operation in step 22. When it is target time in step 23, whether the dialog box mode or the compulsory mode was set as a rest mode is confirmed in step 24. On the other hand, if it is not the target time, the steps 22 and 23 are repeated.

[0028] When the dialog box mode was set as a rest mode, a dialog box is displayed in step 25, and whether the rest mode starts or not is asked to the user in step 26. When the user selects the rest mode, the rest mode in which the computer operation is stopped for the preset rest time begins in step 27, or otherwise the rest mode is canceled and the previous operation mode is restored. On the contrary, when the compulsory mode was set as a rest mode, the rest mode begins compulsorily no relation to the user's will, in step 27.

[0029] When the preset rest time elapses after the rest mode begins, the timer is reset and the previous operation mode executed before the rest mode is restored in step 28, and the time calculation step 22 is repeated for the next rest mode. On the other hand, if the user clicks a mouse or presses any key of a keyboard during the rest mode, the rest mode may be terminated and the previous operation mode may be restored.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a controlling apparatus of a rest mode in a computer according to the present invention. The controlling apparatus includes a monitor 51 for displaying guiding information concerning a rest mode setup, a mode setup portion 54 for being input whether the rest mode is to be set or not, the type of the rest mode, the rest interval, and the rest time, a timer 52 for calculating time during the computer operation, and controller 53 for controlling the operation in the rest mode according to the rest mode setup data.

[0031] The monitor 51 is a screen display device for displaying guide information in order to receive inputs of rest mode setup data. According to the guide information displayed on the monitor 51, the mode setup portion 54 sets whether the rest mode for stopping a current operation of the computer during user's computer operation is to be set or not, a rest interval defining a preset time interval, and a rest time defining a rest mode period in every rest interval, and also decides whether the user sets a dialog box mode which asks whether the user takes a rest or not whenever it is the target time determined by the rest interval, or a compulsory mode which always let the user rest when it is the target time. Here, the mode setup portion 54 sets the rest interval 60 minutes and the rest time 10 minute as default values when there is no user's data input.

[0032] If the rest mode was set, the timer 52 calculates the rest interval and rest time, the controller 53 stops the current operation of the computer for the rest time in every rest interval calculated by the timer 52, and, when the preset rest time elapses after the rest mode begins, makes the previous operation mode be restored.

[0033] Also, if the dialog box mode was set as the rest mode, the controller 53 asks the user whether the rest mode may begin when it is the target time determined by the rest interval, and, if the user selects the rest mode, controls that the rest mode for stopping the computer operation for the rest time begins, or otherwise, controls that the previous operation mode is restored. On the other hand, if the compulsory mode was set as the rest mode, the controller 53 controls that the rest mode for stopping the computer operation compulsorily for the rest time begins when it is the target time determined by the rest interval. Also, after the rest mode begins and if the user clicks a mouse or presses any key of a key board even before the rest time is not ended, the controller 53 lets the rest mode terminate and the previous operation mode begin.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a setup screen displayed on a computer monitor in the course of setting up a rest mode in a method of controlling the rest mode and an apparatus therefor according to the present invention. Blanks for specifying a rest interval 31 and a rest time 32 and a box 33 for setting the rest mode to be a dialog box mode or a compulsory mode are displayed on the screen. In addition, provided on the screen are a OK button 34 for setting a rest mode according to input data and a CANCEL button 35 for canceling the previously input data.

[0035] Usually, it is known that it is preferable to take an about 10 minute rest when using computer for one hour. Therefore, it is preferable that the rest interval is set to 60 minutes and the rest time is set to 10 minutes, and, in particular, even though there is no user's data input, a 60 minute rest interval and a 10 minute rest time may be set as default values.

[0036] FIGS. 4aand 4bshow diagrams illustrating guiding screens displayed on a computer monitor in case that a dialog box mode was set as a rest mode.

[0037] In FIG. 4a,a message 41 for indicating that it is to be a rest mode, for example, “Please take a rest.” is displayed on a guiding screen. At this time, if the user presses a OK button 42, the rest mode begins, and if the user presses a CANCEL button 43, the previous operation is continued.

[0038] In FIG. 4b,a message 41 for indicating that it is to be a rest mode is displayed on the guiding screen. At this time, if the user presses a OK button 46, the rest mode begins, and if the user presses a RETURN button 47, the previous operation screen can be restored. Further, if it is necessary to operate a particularly determined function during the rest mode, a FUNCTION KEY 48 may be selected. For example, a function key for selecting a music program or an amusement program to enjoy during the rest time may be included. Also, a series of music according to the music program selected by the user or a predetermined series of music may be output through a speaker during the rest time.

[0039] As described above, with a method for controlling a rest mode and an apparatus therefor in a computer according to the present invention, bad influences by unconscious longtime use of a computer can be prevented by controlling stopping computer use at predetermined intervals during computer use.